Mad Max - PlayStation 4https://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/default.aspxen-USTelligent Community 1.5.134.12297 (Build: 5.5.134.12297)Desert Sessions In Repetitionhttps://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/archive/2015/08/31/desert-sessions-in-repetition.aspxMon, 31 Aug 2015 23:00:00 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:7691620Matt Bertz0<p><img style="max-width:610px;" border="0" src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/warnerbros/madmax/review/MadMax_CarCombat610.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p>Hot on the heels of a strong cinematic comeback with the blockbuster hit <i>Fury Road</i>, Mad Max is hitting the asphalt for his first video game since the long-forgotten 1990 NES title. After years of rumored stops and starts, Warner Bros. tapped Just Cause veterans Avalanche Studios to meld its signature brand of open-world chaos to the beloved sci-fi series. </p>
<p>Like the Spartan source material, the video game adaptation of Mad Max is heavy on caricature and light on plot development; don&#39;t expect to find a compelling narrative in this barren wasteland. Instead of mimicking one of the film plots, Avalanche charts a new direction, forgoing the Mel Gibson and Tom Hardy interpretations of Max for its own version that still stays faithful to George Miller&#39;s dystopian vision. This Max is again a man of few words and basic motivations. Cruising toward the Plains of Silence, his trek is interrupted by Scabrous Scrotus, the son of <i>Fury Road</i> villain Immortan Joe and ruler of the oil-rich city-state Gastown. Scrotus steals Max&#39;s beloved Interceptor, for which Max buries a chainsaw in the hulking warlord&#39;s skull before being stripped of all his possessions and left for dead on the side of the road. Soon after, he meets a Gollum-esque hunchback named Chumbucket. This car-worshipping sidekick believes Max to be a saint, and lends his mechanical talents in hopes of Max leading him to salvation. Max has other designs: finishing what he started with Scrotus and getting his car back. &nbsp;</p>
<p>The open-world Max navigates is inhospitable and predictably singular in nature. Avalanche Studios has done an admirable job of trying to give each wasteland region a signature quality, from wind-swept sand dunes and rocky vertical spaces to hilly junkyards and crumbling remnants of highways. But even with the gorgeous skybox injecting color into the world and violent sandstorms breaking up the monotony of the environment, you ultimately can&#39;t escape the fact that a desert is a desert. Don&#39;t expect to do much on-foot navigation of the mountainous regions given the lack of an adequate climbing system. Most open-world games of this generation and last solved the problems of terrain traversal, but Max still can&#39;t clear knee-high obstacles or vault up climbable objects unless he finds the predetermined point of interaction.</p>
<p>This monochromatic landscape is sparsely populated by caricature villains, self-serving stronghold leaders, and random wastelanders who rarely develop defining characteristics beyond the flimsy veneer of mohawks and bondage gear. Max only interacts with these personalities when he has something to gain &ndash; whether that be access to weaponry, car upgrades, or information he needs to find Scrotus.&nbsp;</p>
<p>(Please visit the site to view this media)</p>
<p>Despite its post-apocalyptic setting, Mad Max&#39;s open world is more Far Cry than Fallout. Each region of the map features a hot-air balloon station that, once visited, reveals points of interest in the area (read: Far Cry&#39;s radio tower). These include enemy bases waiting to be infiltrated, convoys available for ransacking, desert races, and scavenging locations hiding the various collectibles. As you complete these side missions you weaken Scrotus&#39; power over the region, earning you the praise of the local stronghold leaders and unlocking various upgrades.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Metal scraps are the predominant form of currency in the wasteland, which Max can find in enemy bases or earn by taking out the vehicles of roving marauders. Scraps funnel into the robust upgrade systems for Max and his car. Spending the currency on Max transforms him into a brutal killing machine with improved attack strength, a better shotgun, and new combat moves. Car upgrades also vie for the same pool of scraps, allowing Max to improve its speed, handling, defense, and attack options. Early in the game both systems provide adequate motivation for tackling the various side missions, but as Max becomes more formidable and the side quests begin to feel repetitious, they ultimately lose their allure.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Upgrading strongholds is useful for cutting out the tedium of performing basic tasks. Max never takes ownership over these bases, but by finding project parts hidden in various looting locations, you can improve facilities to impart bonuses like filling your car with gas, replenishing your health, and restocking your ammo each time you visit the stronghold. The best upgrade (which you should get immediately for each stronghold) removes the need to get out of your car to collect the valuable scraps after road battles, which saves precious time.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Given the antagonistic nature of wasteland inhabitants, vehicular combat is a constant. Scrotus&#39; legion of War Boys cruise the land spoiling for a fight, and though the sluggish controls can be problematic (especially when it comes to racing or navigating tight passages), these high-speed encounters are fun given the weapons at your disposal. Max can ram into cars to take them out, unleash a &quot;thunderpoon&quot; projectile to remove a threat with one shot, target gas tanks with a shotgun blast, or use the playful harpoon to slowly dismantle an enemy vehicle or even rip a driver from the cockpit. The best of these battles involve the large convoys, but when you reach the top-end of the vehicle upgrades, you can tear through these caravans with little resistance.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Max is equally adept at throwing on the knuckledusters for hand-to-hand combat. Given the lack of large ammo stockpiles, most of your on-foot encounters involve throwing punches. This satisfying, free-flow combat system is reminiscent of the Arkham games, but Max doesn&#39;t have the professional restraint of the Caped Crusader. Chaining together attacks enables Max to go into Fury mode, where he unleashes devastating slow-motion finishing moves with shivs, walls, or old-school wrestling moves.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Don&#39;t expect much challenge from the enemies even when you are severely outnumbered; the lack of awareness on display from the various wasteland foes is astounding. If you back out of an enemy base, don&#39;t be surprised when they charge directly into the bear traps they set up to protect their territory. You can remove the challenge of clearing out larger enemy encampments by luring them to the gates, which leaves them susceptible to thunderpoon and harpoon attacks from your vehicle that thin their ranks in a hurry. I saw one group of six enemies stand still waiting their turn to get harpooned and flung out of the base. Should you bite off more than you can chew, the forgiving checkpoint system keeps you moving forward both within missions and while roaming.</p>
<p>Max&#39;s adventure inevitably leads to a showdown with Scrotus, but as the story concludes you are left wondering what, if anything, was gained in this pursuit. At the end of the day, Max overtook some bases, ran a couple hundred cars off the road, met some forgettable characters, and buried his fist into the sunburnt skin of the villainous locals. Was it worth the effort? That ultimately depends on how much fun you had in performing these basic, repetitious open-world activities.</p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="https://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=7691620" width="1" height="1">ActionPlayStation 4mad maxPCwb gamesxbox oneAvalanche StudioReview271The Post-Apocalypse Is Televised In Mad Max TV Spothttps://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/archive/2015/08/24/the-post-apocalypse-is-televised-in-mad-max-tv-spot.aspxMon, 24 Aug 2015 15:15:00 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:7665687Matthew Kato6https://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/rsscomments.aspx?WeblogPostID=7665687https://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/archive/2015/08/24/the-post-apocalypse-is-televised-in-mad-max-tv-spot.aspx#comments<p><img style="max-width:610px;" border="0" src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/warner-bros/mad-max/madmax8.24610.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p dir="ltr">Mad Max comes out next week, and to give the general public a taste of what&#39;s in store for them, Warner Bros has released a quick TV spot that dutifully notes that the game is indeed rated M for Mature.</p>
<p dir="ltr">For those of you unaware of what usually happens in a post-apocalyptic world; the game&#39;s wasteland is a harsh place. As the trailer points out, there are no heroes, only survivors (and the chumps who get in the way of said survivors). While it doesn&#39;t talk about Mad Max&#39;s plot or finer gameplay points, it does drive home (no pun intended) that violence often has to be met with violence to get what you want.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Mad Max comes out for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC on September 1.</p>
<p>(Please visit the site to view this media)</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="https://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=7665687" width="1" height="1">PreviewActionPlayStation 4mad maxavalanche studiosWarner Bros. GamesMad Max Interactive Trailer Invites You To Choose Your Own Destructionhttps://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/archive/2015/08/17/mad-max-interactive-trailer-invites-you-to-choose-your-own-destruction.aspxMon, 17 Aug 2015 14:34:18 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:7636659Mike Futter14https://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/rsscomments.aspx?WeblogPostID=7636659https://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/archive/2015/08/17/mad-max-interactive-trailer-invites-you-to-choose-your-own-destruction.aspx#comments<p><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/warner-bros/mad-max/interactive/MadMaxIntTrl-610.jpg" border="0" style="max-width:610px;" alt="" /></p>
<p>WB Games and Avalanche are driving the point home. Mad Max is going to be full of delicious explosions.</p>
<p>In a new trailer, you can pick how Max wreaks havoc behind the wheel. Suffice it to say, there is grinding metal and huge fireballs.</p>
<p>(Please visit the site to view this media)</p>
<p>Mad Max is due out on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC on September 1. For more, you can read <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/p/madmax.aspx">our coverage from the April 2015 issue</a>. You can also read <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/archive/2015/08/06/mad-max-hasnt-improved-much-in-two-years-and-that-isnt-great.aspx">hands-on impressions from Gamescom</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/p/madmax.aspx"><img border="0" src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/gameinformer/gijeff/overflow/4324234/mmreveal/0415_Mad_Max_610.jpg" alt="" /></a></p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="https://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=7636659" width="1" height="1">PreviewActionPlayStation 4mad maxwb gamesavalancheMad Max Hasn't Improved Much In Two Years, And That Isn't Greathttps://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/archive/2015/08/06/mad-max-hasnt-improved-much-in-two-years-and-that-isnt-great.aspxThu, 06 Aug 2015 13:34:00 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:7604593Mike Futter172https://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/rsscomments.aspx?WeblogPostID=7604593https://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/archive/2015/08/06/mad-max-hasnt-improved-much-in-two-years-and-that-isnt-great.aspx#comments<p><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/warner-bros/mad-max/newtrailer/madmax2xx.jpg" style="max-width:610px;" border="0" alt="" /><br /><br />Two years ago, I saw Mad Max at Gamescom. At the time, I drew distinct parallels to Far Cry&#39;s stronghold takeovers and Borderlands&#39; vehicular moments. Not much has changed, and that&#39;s supremely disappointing.<br /><br />I wasn&#39;t wowed by Mad Max two years ago, and I didn&#39;t love my hands-on time with it today mainly due to some nagging minor issues that kept getting it my way. The controls in the car (and interacting with it) aren&#39;t fluid.&nbsp;Nearly every game that blends vehicles and on-foot combat uses a tap of the Y or Triangle button to get into a car. In Mad Max you need to hold the button. It sounds like a minor thing until you realize how ingrained Grand Theft Auto (and its pretenders) are in your muscle memory.<br /><br />The user interface when in the cars isn&#39;t clean. I had a difficult time telling which enemy cars were still in play as I was whipping around the wasteland at top speed. I often ended up harpooning the wrong object, and the fine aim is clumsy.<br /><br />On-foot combat is better, but that&#39;s largely because it apes Rocksteady&#39;s polished Arkham series. Enemies are overtly color-coded so you know what type of resistance you&#39;ll face, with counters and finishers more Red Hood than Dark Knight.<br /><br />With release just a month away, I&#39;m hopeful that we&#39;ll find more to Mad Max than upgrading a car that isn&#39;t much fun to drive. The world provides so much room for narrative depth, and it would be a shame for Mad Max to simply become an episode of Top Gear: Post-Apocalypse Edition.<br /><br />For much more on Avalanche&#39;s trip to the wasteland, check out our coverage hub from April 2015.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div><a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/p/madmax.aspx"><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/gameinformer/gijeff/overflow/4324234/mmreveal/0415_Mad_Max_610.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="https://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=7604593" width="1" height="1">PreviewActionPlayStation 4mad maxwb gamesavalancheGamescom 2015Mad Max Searches The Wasteland In New Trailerhttps://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/archive/2015/08/04/mad-max-strongholds-trailer.aspxTue, 04 Aug 2015 13:31:00 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:7599963Matthew Kato6https://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/rsscomments.aspx?WeblogPostID=7599963https://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/archive/2015/08/04/mad-max-strongholds-trailer.aspx#comments<p><img style="max-width:610px;" border="0" src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/warner-bros/mad-max/screengallery/madmax7.4610.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p>Max is a loner, but in the upcoming Avalanche Studios title Mad Max, he&#39;s definitely not alone.</p>
<p>The latest trailer for the game shows off a little bit of the title&#39;s strongholds, but also tours through the game&#39;s cast of characters and Max&#39;s mindset along his journey.</p>
<p>Mad Max comes out for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC on September 1</p>
<p>(Please visit the site to view this media)</p>
<p>For more on Mad Max, click on the banner below to enter our hub of exclusive content from our previous cover story.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/p/madmax.aspx"><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/gameinformer/gijeff/overflow/4324234/mmreveal/0415_Mad_Max_610.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="https://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=7599963" width="1" height="1">PreviewActionPlayStation 4mad maxavalanche studioswarner brosSee More Of The Wasteland In These E3 Screenshttps://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/archive/2015/06/16/see-more-of-the-wasteland-in-these-mad-max-e3-screens.aspxWed, 17 Jun 2015 03:08:00 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:7527131Joe Juba7https://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/rsscomments.aspx?WeblogPostID=7527131https://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/archive/2015/06/16/see-more-of-the-wasteland-in-these-mad-max-e3-screens.aspx#comments<p><img style="max-width:610px;" border="0" src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/warnerbros/madmax/e32015/e3madmax610.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p>Improvised weapons, vehicle combat, and bizarre warlords &ndash; it&#39;s just a typical day in the post-apocalypse. These new screens will show you just a few of the sights you can experience when Mad Max launches this fall. &nbsp;</p>
<p>Check out the gallery below to see the latest images. For more Mad Max, you can check out our <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/p/madmax.aspx">cover story hub</a>, or watch the trailer that debuted yesterday:</p>
<p>(Please visit the site to view this media)</p>
<p>Mad Max releases on September 1 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.</p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="https://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=7527131" width="1" height="1">PreviewActionPlayStation 4mad maxe3 2015e32015wbScrotus, AC/DC, And Killer Carshttps://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/archive/2015/06/15/behold-the-mighty-scrotus-in-new-mad-max-trailer.aspxMon, 15 Jun 2015 19:42:00 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:7522956Christian Belland20https://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/rsscomments.aspx?WeblogPostID=7522956https://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/archive/2015/06/15/behold-the-mighty-scrotus-in-new-mad-max-trailer.aspx#comments<p><img src="http://origin-www.gameinformer.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Components-SiteFiles/imagefeed-featured-warnerborsinteractive-madmax/madmaxscrotus_2D00_236_2D00_610.jpg" border="0" style="max-width:610px;" alt="" /></p>
<p>A new trailer for the upcoming Mad Max game dropped today, featuring the game&#39;s big bad. His name is Scrotus, and like the best Mad Max villains, he&#39;s a musclebound psychopath with a wide violent streak. Get a good look at him and his War Boy lackeys:</p>
<p>(Please visit the site to view this media)</p>
<p>The trailer is an action-packed affair, complete with melee combat, vehicular mayhem, and some quick flashes of story cutscenes. Looks like Max has gotten on Scrotus&#39; bad side (think he even has a good side?). To defeat the tyrannical warlord, Max will have to upgrade his Magnum Opus and engage in climactic battles that would make George Miller himself proud.</p>
<p>Mad Max is out September 1 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. Read about the <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2015/03/06/10-badass-things-we-did-in-mad-maxs-open-world.aspx">wasteland shenanigans</a> we encountered in the open world,&nbsp;and get a gameplay overview <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/xboxone/archive/2015/04/23/mad-max-enters-the-thunderdome-in-new-gameplay-trailer.aspx">here</a>.</p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="https://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=7522956" width="1" height="1">PreviewActionPlayStation 4mad maxtrailerscrotuse3 2015Building Up Mad Max's Magnum Opus, The Four-Wheeled Heart Of His Wastelandhttps://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/archive/2015/05/26/mad-max-preview-building-a-sick-car-in-the-heart-of-the-wasteland.aspxTue, 26 May 2015 13:01:00 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:7490969Kimberley Wallace35https://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/rsscomments.aspx?WeblogPostID=7490969https://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/archive/2015/05/26/mad-max-preview-building-a-sick-car-in-the-heart-of-the-wasteland.aspx#comments<p><img style="max-width:610px;" src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/warnerborsinteractive/madmax/embargoedpree3/MadMaxSideRam610.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></p>
<p>I ventured into the heart of wasteland with the upcoming Mad
Max game at a recent press event in Santa Monica. To stand a chance in this
harsh atmosphere, you need to build up Max&#39;s Magnum Opus, his main source of
transportation. Here&#39;s what I did to survive with my time in the crazy world,
which was full of close calls and satisfying victories. </p>
<p><img style="max-width:610px;" src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/warnerborsinteractive/madmax/embargoedpree3/MadMaxDieRolla610.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><b>Collecting Scrap For Car Upgrades<br /></b></span>Scrap is the wasteland&#39;s treasure. It can used for upgrades
to Max&#39;s Magnum Opus, making it the top priority. I went to a scrap-collecting
mission, where I was instructed to find three pieces. While the
first two were easy enough to find, the third one poses a bigger challenge,
as it&#39;s locked in a container. Luckily, I have a harpoon on my car. I aim and
release it at the container to pull off the front portion. I now have what I
need to obtain a new car body. Going into the upgrade screen, I can
select the new body, but I also have even more options for customization with
color and design. Using additional scrap, I upgrade the car&#39;s armor to give it
some extra protection. Who knows what the open road will bring?</p>
<p><img style="max-width:610px;" src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/warnerborsinteractive/madmax/embargoedpree3/MadMaxHandCombat610.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></p>
<p><b><span style="font-size:medium;">Fist-Fights Galore<br /></span></b>I&#39;m surprised at just how much the battle system in Mad Max
mimics the awesome combat from Rocksteady&#39;s Batman: Arkham franchise. Max can
throw a mean punch and combat is extremely responsive and fluid. Like the Arkham
games, Max needs to tap a button to counterattack at the right time, and can
land some brutal takedowns. Max&#39;s approach is messier than the finesse exhibited by the caped crusader. Max might not have the training, but he does have brass knuckles. Alternating between
light and heavy attacks helps fill up Max&#39;s fury meter. Activating this meter,
throws Max into adrenaline mode where deals more damage. The way he pummels
through guys just makes you feel all the more badass.</p>
<p><img style="max-width:610px;" src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/warnerborsinteractive/madmax/embargoedpree3/MadMaxHighSpeedCombat610.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></p>
<p><b><span style="font-size:medium;">Joyriding And Car Chases<br /></span></b>The open road may just be a wasteland, but that doesn&#39;t mean
you can&#39;t have fun in it. During my time, I encountered some intense high-speed
chases that I won&#39;t soon forget. You can go after convoys, which usually have
about a dozen vehicles that guard a truck containing valuable items. Max&#39;s car is loaded with weapons, and all are at his disposal. These can also be upgraded throughout
the game. You can use your harpoon to take the armor off the vehicles, light them on fire, get close and shred their tires with your spiked rims,
or use your mounted guns.</p>
<p>At first I try to
damage cars by keeping up with them and using my tire-shredding rims, but it&#39;s
not nearly as effective or gratifying as using the flamethrowers at them. The car
is pretty easy to handle, with the ability to nitro boost for higher speeds.
Aiming your guns at explosive barrels on enemy cars is also
an easy way to make them go boom. As I watch the explosions happen, I start to
feel the adrenaline rush of the chaos. Soon I find myself with just the truck
with the goodies left. The only way to defeat it is to whip out the harpoon and
pull off its armor. I do this a few times before I&#39;m finally rewarded,
unlocking a new hood ornament for my troubles. The hood ornament adds a nifty
speed upgrade to my Magnum Opus.</p>
<p><img style="max-width:610px;" src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/warnerborsinteractive/madmax/embargoedpree3/MadMaxShotgunCombat610.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></p>
<p><b><span style="font-size:medium;">Destroying An Enemy Outpost<br /></span></b>The enemy outposts are one of the most involved tasks you
can undertake in the wasteland. Max must use the environment to his advantage to get by. I use my car to infiltrate the outpost, using my mounted guns
to shoot the guards above me. Once I break in, I must abandon my car to get
through the tight spaces. Enemies are often in large groups, so it&#39;s good to
aim at explosive barrels to take them down fast. I take fuel and throw it at every
flammable object possible. Ammo can be scarce, so it&#39;s important to look at what&#39;s to your advantage in the environment before running and
gunning. One bullet can take out a bevy of enemies if you hit something
flammable, and some enemies are suspended in the air, meaning your bullets are
the only way to destroy them. Unfortunately, my demo ends before I&#39;m able to
complete the outpost. That being said, I had fun trying to think my way through
the area and maximize my explosions.</p>
<p><b><span style="font-size:medium;">Final Takeaways<br /></span></b>A lot of emphasis is being placed on your ability to build
up your car, so if you enjoy ruling the road, you&#39;ll be right at home here. As
I searched the world, I noticed tons of tasks on the map, but most seem repetitive. You can either collect scrap, chase down convoys, or destroy enemy
outposts. I&#39;m worried I&#39;ll get sick of this side content after doing a few, but
the combat and driving were fun enough to keep me interested. I just hope the
main storyline also holds enough appeal.</p>
<p>Be sure to check out the latest trailer below for your own glimpse into the game.&nbsp;</p>
<p>(Please visit the site to view this media)</p>
<p><i>Want more on Mad Max? Check out our exclusive online coverage from our cover story</i>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/p/madmax.aspx"><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/gameinformer/gijeff/overflow/4324234/mmreveal/0415_Mad_Max_610.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="https://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=7490969" width="1" height="1">PreviewActionPlayStation 4mad maxavalanche studiosWarner Bros.PCwb gamesxbox oneMad Max Enters The Thunderdome In New Gameplay Trailerhttps://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/archive/2015/04/23/mad-max-enters-the-thunderdome-in-new-gameplay-trailer.aspxThu, 23 Apr 2015 13:00:00 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:7429628Jeff Cork3https://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/rsscomments.aspx?WeblogPostID=7429628https://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/archive/2015/04/23/mad-max-enters-the-thunderdome-in-new-gameplay-trailer.aspx#comments<p>It&#39;s one of several &quot;blink and you&#39;ll miss it&quot; moments in the new gameplay clip.</p>...(<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/archive/2015/04/23/mad-max-enters-the-thunderdome-in-new-gameplay-trailer.aspx">read more</a>)<img src="https://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=7429628" width="1" height="1">PreviewActionPlayStation 4mad maxPCNew Trailer Confirms Delay Into 2015https://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/archive/2014/04/25/new-trailer-confirms-mad-max-delayed-until-2015.aspxFri, 25 Apr 2014 13:41:00 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:6753585Mike Futter0https://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/rsscomments.aspx?WeblogPostID=6753585https://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/archive/2014/04/25/new-trailer-confirms-mad-max-delayed-until-2015.aspx#comments<p><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/warner-bros/mad-max/MadMaxMagnum-610.jpg" border="0" style="max-width:610px;" alt="" /></p>
<p>It&rsquo;s official. We have another delay into 2015. Mad Max, in development at Avalanche Studios, is slipping from 2014 into next year.</p>
<p>A new trailer shows off Max&rsquo;s Magnum Opus, a car players will build in the game to replace the iconic Interceptor. The video emphasizes the importance of cars in the wasteland, and we know that (at least as of last year) building the Magnum Opus is a key piece of the Mad Max experience.&nbsp;</p>
<p>(Please visit the site to view this media)</p>
<p>The signature vehicle is getting a real life build from West Coast customs, and will be seen on the show on April 27. For more on Mad Max, you can check out our <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/xboxone/archive/2013/08/21/mad-maxs-open-world-wasteland-feels-familiar.aspx">tepid preview from Gamescom</a>, in which we identify some extensive familiarity in the game at that time.</p>
<p>Mad Max is planned for Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and PC. Avalanche Studios is also the studio behind the Just Cause franchise. A <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/04/24/just-cause-3-domain-registration-linked-to-square-enix.aspx">domain registration for a third game in that series</a> was just registered and linked to Square Enix.</p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="https://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=6753585" width="1" height="1">PreviewActionPlayStation 4mad maxavalanche studiosWarner Bros.PlayStation 3Xbox 360West Coast CustomsMad Max's Open World Wasteland Feels Familiarhttps://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/archive/2013/08/21/mad-maxs-open-world-wasteland-feels-familiar.aspxWed, 21 Aug 2013 18:41:00 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:3991951Mike Futter0https://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/rsscomments.aspx?WeblogPostID=3991951https://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/archive/2013/08/21/mad-maxs-open-world-wasteland-feels-familiar.aspx#comments<p><img border="0" style="max-width:610px;" src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/imagefeed/featured/warner-bros/mad-max/MadMaxGameplay610.jpg" alt="" /><br />Look back over reviews of Borderlands and Rage, and you&#39;ll find mentions of Mad Max&#39;s post-apocalyptic wasteland show up more than a few times. It&#39;s no surprise then that the Road Warrior&#39;s own game feels so familiar.<br /><br />In the developer-driven demo at Gamescom 2013, we got a look at vehicle and on-foot combat, while also learning a bit more about the story. Max has been left for dead, and his prized car stolen. With the help of a brilliant mechanic named Chumbucket, he&#39;ll have to build and improve a new vehicle, called the Magnum Opus.<br /><br />In order to do that, Max must team up with leaders of civilized strongholds and fulfill missions for them. In the demo, Max is tasked with stealing a 12-cylinder car (the last of its kind) to bring it back to Jeet, leader of a nearby survivor encampment.<br /><br />This involves sneaking into a bandit camp, which was reminiscent of Far Cry 3 due to a tagging system and the value of stealth. Max can dive into the flat-bed back of his car to use a sniper rifle to take enemies out from a distance without alerting the group. Should he be seen, a flare goes up and reinforcements arrive.<br /><br />After removing one guard from play, Max rolls up slowly and quietly on a guard tower. How he isn&#39;t heard or seen is a mystery, but once close enough, Chumbucket uses a harpoon to pull the structure out from under the bandit.<br /><br />Once on foot, Max picks up melee weapons to engage in combat reminiscent of the recent Rocksteady Batman games (also published by Warner Bros.). He also uses his signature shotgun for brutal instant kills.<br /><br />On his way out of the camp, Max is ambushed. Vehicular combat is reminiscent of Burnout, with cinematic takedowns. Weapons also play a role, as Max blows tires out with his shotgun and avoids armaments like rear mounted flamepipes that can deal great damage to the Magnum Opus.<br /><br />Once back at the settlement, Max can use his collected spare parts to improve his ride. In the demo, this includes a change of paint (which offers status effects like being fire retardant) and a ramming bumper. Vehicles can be tuned for speed, damage, evasion, or any combination thereof. Additionally, each settlement specializes in different areas, and parts will vary amongst them.<br /><br />As the demo concludes, Max and Chumbucket bust through a camp of Warboys on their way to the next area. Mad Max will include three distinct regions with different terrain (and tire needs). We&#39;ll learn more about what we&#39;ll be seeing in addition to barren sandscapes as we grow nearer to the 2014 launch.</p>
<div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="https://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=3991951" width="1" height="1">PreviewActionPlayStation 4mad maxavalanche studiosWarner Bros.Gamescom 2013First Two Motion Comics Now Availablehttps://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/archive/2013/08/14/motion-comic-series-sets-the-scene-for-mad-max.aspxWed, 14 Aug 2013 17:53:00 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:3877633LizLanier0https://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/rsscomments.aspx?WeblogPostID=3877633https://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/archive/2013/08/14/motion-comic-series-sets-the-scene-for-mad-max.aspx#comments<p><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/imagefeed/featured/warnerbros/madmax/comic/madmaxgunview610.jpg" border="0" style="max-width:610px;" alt="" /></p>
<p>If the <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/pc/archive/2013/07/15/first-look-at-mad-max-in-action.aspx">first look</a> at the post-apocalyptic setting of Mad Max had you begging for more, two new motion comics are sure to catch your interest. The comics are in a video format with an art style similar to some of the rapid comic style cutscenes seen in Infamous.</p>
<p>The first two comics are available now in easy to digest, two minute installments.</p>
<p>The first introduces Max to the stark, desert landscape as he takes part in the road war. Chumbucket, a sinister looking individual, watches on, unnoticed. Watch the video below to see what happens for yourself.</p>
<p>(Please visit the site to view this media)</p>
<p>The second installment picks up right where the first episode left off, and shows more fighting than racing.</p>
<p>(Please visit the site to view this media)</p>
<p>Mad Max is coming to Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC next year. Will you continue to watch the motion comics? Let us know in the comments.</p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="https://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=3877633" width="1" height="1">PreviewActionPlayStation 4mad maxavalanche studioswarner broswarner brothersFirst Look At Max In Actionhttps://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/archive/2013/07/15/first-look-at-mad-max-in-action.aspxMon, 15 Jul 2013 13:00:00 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:3267819Mike Futter0https://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/rsscomments.aspx?WeblogPostID=3267819https://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/archive/2013/07/15/first-look-at-mad-max-in-action.aspx#comments<p><img style="max-width:610px;" src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/imagefeed/featured/warner-bros/mad-max/MadMaxGameplay610.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></p>
<p>Warner Bros. Interactive and Avalanche surprised us at E3 with their reveal of Mad Max, and now we&#39;ve got the first gameplay trailer. In addition to a licensed NES title, the Mel Gibson films have been linked to video game culture many times. Examples include the bandits from <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/games/borderlands_2/b/ps3/archive/2012/09/17/review.aspx">Borderlands</a> and elements of <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/games/rage/b/xbox360/archive/2011/10/04/the-father-of-fps-returns-triumphant.aspx">Rage&#39;s</a> vehicular combat.</p>
<p>Now, things are coming full circle, with the Road Warrior starring in his own title once more. Combat takes place behind the wheel of the Pursuit Special and on foot, with what appears to be a combination of melee and firearms. When <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/archive/2013/06/12/avalanche-studios-show-off-open-world-offroad-destruction.aspx">Matt Helgeson previewed the title at E3</a>, he noted that emphasis is strongly on fisticuffs, which is a departure for open world titles.</p>
<p>Avalanche Studio&#39;s sandbox pedigree earned from the <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/games/just_cause_2/b/xbox360/archive/2010/03/23/review-just-cause-2.aspx">Just Cause series</a> is enough to have us interested in what Mad Max&#39;s wasteland will have to offer. It doesn&#39;t hurt that the song chosen for this trailer, Soul of a Man is a masterful rendition of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrc2yHuoOe0">Blind Willie Johnson&#39;s classic</a> from the 1930s.</p>
<p>Mad Max is coming (likely) in 2014 for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.</p>
<p>(Please visit the site to view this media)</p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="https://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=3267819" width="1" height="1">PreviewActionPlayStation 4mad maxavalanche studiosWarner Bros.Avalanche Studios Show Off Open World Offroad Destructionhttps://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/archive/2013/06/12/avalanche-studios-show-off-open-world-offroad-destruction.aspxWed, 12 Jun 2013 21:21:00 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:2983751Matt Helgeson34https://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/rsscomments.aspx?WeblogPostID=2983751https://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/archive/2013/06/12/avalanche-studios-show-off-open-world-offroad-destruction.aspx#comments<p><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/imagefeed/featured/warnerbros/madmax/announcement/announce610.jpg" border="0" style="max-width:610px;" alt="" /></p>
<p>Avalanche Studios, the team behind the Just Cause series, is turning its open world skills to a game based on the iconic Mad Max movie franchise, and so far the results look impressive.</p>
<p>Mad Max has been rumored for some time, and at E3 Avalanche and publisher Warner Bros. Interactive made it official. The game is a new, original Mad Max adventure that Avalanche said was a &quot;standalone&quot; plot, so don&#39;t expect any hard ties to the existing Mad Max storylines. As you might expect, given star Mel Gibson&#39;s now more controversial public profile, the game&#39;s Mad Max is a new design, featuring an athletic, bearded Max. However, the iconic leather costume remains.</p>
<p>Avalanche has demonstrated an ability to create massive open worlds with Just Cause, and Mad Max, slated for next gen consoles, has an enormous map. Even the part we saw, which comprised roughly only one-fifth of the total world, appeared to be massive. Obviously, given the franchise, the environments are largely rough, barren desert; you can even see the wreckage of old ocean liners where the sea once was.</p>
<p>Mad Max&#39;s patchwork, rough metal vehicles are as iconic as the character, so the game places a heavier emphasis on vehicles (and vehicular combat) than most open world games. And, the world is truly open -- you&#39;ll be able to offroad literally anywhere on the map that a real vehicle could reach.</p>
<p>Throughout the game you&#39;ll collect scrap metal and other object that help add to your car. The customization screen we saw featured hundred of different options, from front ends designed for ramming to heavy armor to weapon turret add-ons to nitrous and other performance addition. Avalanche is emphasizing vehicle physics, so each part you add to your car will actually affect the turning, weight distribution, etc. Frankly, the tuning options looked to be as deep as some proper racing games on the market.</p>
<p>The E3 demo showed off car combat in the game, but don&#39;t expect Twisted Metal style projectiles and theatrics. This is brutal, primitive car-to-car combat, largely using your vehicle as the weapon itself, and ramming cars off the road will be one of your main attacks. As Max and his two compatriots pulled close to an enemy, one of the foes leaped from his car to on top of Max&#39;s, forcing Max to stop driving for a second to shoot him off in a quick Bullet Time-style sequence. The person riding in the back of the vehicle will also be able to use a harpoon weapon (connected by a rope) to pull off wheels and sections of armor from an enemy vehicle.</p>
<p>The demo also showed Max engaging in combat out of the car. After arriving at an encampment called Dead Barren Pass, Max must infiltrate it. The gate is blocked, so he exited the vehicle and fought his way up a ridge to take out a sniper. On the way, the he showed off the game&#39;s brutal combat, which was extremely violent and featured such gory fatalities as Max shooting an enemy in the belly with a sawed off shotgun and obliterating another with an explosive harpoon.</p>
<p>Although melee combat is a bigger focus than in most open world games, there are weapons, including a sniper rifle which Max used to explode gas canisters, opening the gate. After the gate had been breached, Max hopped back in his vehicle and drove through a hail of explosions and gunfire. We never got to saw what happened next, as the demo cut off which a brief highlight reel of combat and other footage from the game. However, what we saw was enough to pique our interest. The game is fairly early and will likely not come out until 2014.</p>
<p>(Please visit the site to view this media)</p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="https://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=2983751" width="1" height="1">PreviewActionPlayStation 4mad maxwarner bros interactivedemovideogameplaye32013avalanche studiostrailerSee The Open-World Mad Max Headed To Current, Next-Gen In Actionhttps://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/archive/2013/06/11/see-the-open-world-mad-max-headed-to-current-next-gen-in-action.aspxTue, 11 Jun 2013 19:04:00 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:2975344Adam Biessener37https://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/rsscomments.aspx?WeblogPostID=2975344https://www.gameinformer.com/games/mad_max/b/playstation4/archive/2013/06/11/see-the-open-world-mad-max-headed-to-current-next-gen-in-action.aspx#comments<p><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/imagefeed/featured/warnerbros/madmax/announcement/announce610.jpg" border="0" style="max-width:610px;" alt="" /></p>
<p>Warner Bros. and Avalanche Software revealed today that the open-world Mad Max game it announced at last night&#39;s Sony press conference is coming to current- and next-gen Sony and Microsoft consoles as well as PC.</p>
<p>As Mad Max, players must scavenge supplies and weaponry from the post-apocalyptic world in order to upgrade their equipment, weapons, and vehicles to be able to survive the dangerous open world. Warner Bros. promises hostile weather, vehicular combat, and bountiful exploration in between surviving bandit attacks as Mad Max seeks to recover his stolen Interceptor.</p>
<p>(Please visit the site to view this media)</p>
<p>Mad Max comes out in 2014 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC.</p>
<p><i>Visit our&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/06/07/your-e3-2013-news-headquarters.aspx">E3 News Headquarters</a>&nbsp;for all the stories from the show.</i></p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="https://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=2975344" width="1" height="1">PreviewActione3 2013PlayStation 4mad max